Best maui whale watching tours and cruises every year between december and april, humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of hawaii to breed and raise their young. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. A majority of the whale watching tours on maui leave from the lahaina harbor, although several leave from maalaea harbor. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. This is only the groups third encounter with the killer. Welcome to blue maui blue maui is wholly owned by award winning sail maui, proudly serving maui for over 20 years. Finally, for a unique, early morning maui excursion and front row view to the whales, consider joining a paddling tour with the team at hawaiian paddle sports. Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling closest encounters in.
Best maui whale watching tours and cruises hijinks. Every seat is a front row seat in our whale watching tours. Hawaii ocean rafting offers private whale watching trips exclusive maui rafting tours for you, your family and friends. A pod of four killer whales, orca whales, was found by cascadia research collective on friday 111 off the coast of kona hawaii. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in. Pacific whale foundation supports research and education about the humpback whales, and they call their boat tours eco adventures. Whalewatch with the experts on mauis toprated ecotour and see these amazing creatures in their natural wild habitat. By the peak of the season from januarymarch, thousands of humpbacks have gathered in hawaii from hilo to hanalei, with the largest concentration of whales residing between maui, molokai, and lanai. This is the first time researchers have been able to tag orca whales in hawaii to track their movements around the islands.
From charter boats to passenger rafts, a stroll past the whale watching kiosks lining lahaina harbor reveals a variety of whale watching options. Last month, we reported about the first humpback whale sighting of this season in hawaii. For you, this is the perfect place for maui whale watching. Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary is located from the shoreline to the 100fathom isobath 600 ft. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. A whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. Maui whale watching trips with hawaii ocean rafting. Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling mauis ultimate. Join us on this incredible adventure which offers you the amazing opportunity to see humpback whales during their annual migration to hawaii, truly an experience you will remember forever. The hawaiian humpback whale marine sanctuary is located in kihei and was created by congress in 1992 as a way to protect these magnificent creatures in hawaiian waters.
Our goal is to encourage ecofriendly decisions and appreciation of the hawaii paradise we are a part of. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Based on their research, we know each whale remains in hawaiian waters for about six weeks over a fourmonth period during the winter months february being high season. Killer whale research and tracking in hawaii the researchers were able to deploy a satellite tags, as seen on dorsal fin in photo to left, on three of the four killer whales. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. Without a doubt, one of the most amazing marine wildlife adventures youll ever have the opportunity to partake in is a chance to witness the majesty of the north pacific humpback whales in their natural environment year, after year, these magical mammals grace hawaiian. And we are proud to recommend the absolute best maui whale watching tour pride of maui. They offer kayak, paddleboard and outrigger canoe tours, and while they still adhere to the mandated limits of keeping a 100yard distance, the whales will sometimes choose to swim closer even right under the boat. In fact, there are plenty of areas on maui where humpbacks can frequently be seen from the shore during whale season. Whale watching experiences on maui mauis best whale watching tours.
Enjoy comfortable seating for up to 16 passengers and spectacular views of mauis coastline from the best seats in town. Take the road to hana at your own pace while still benefiting from the interesting information and guidance that comes with a more traditional guided tour by downloading this tour app. Maui is one of the most important habitats worldwide for the magnificent humpback whale. Come explore the magnificent hawaiian waters with blue maui.
I am so excited to be visiting maui for the first time with my husband and three other couples next february. Mauis toprated whale watch cruise pacwhale ecoadventures. Dec 15, 2015 a whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. There are many variations on the whale watching cruise in hawaii. Our small groups get close with mauis whales and dolphins. Pacific whale foundation this is the largest and bestknown whale watch company on maui. In the prewhaling days, the pods were estimated in numbers. During whale season november march, you can catch a glimpse of whales breathing, splashing, and breaching from the shore. Gives me the rest of the day to do whatever most tours but not all are very good when it comes to respecting our whales. We offer a variety of maui snorkeling and whale watching. For tour days and times, visit the foundations website.
Witness these magnificent creatures in their natural environment with an educational and fun boat cruise from mauis whale watching experts. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Whale watching tours on pride of maui in hawaii are truly an amazing experience and exceptional value. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. Since 1982, we have been dedicated to sharing our knowledge and experience of mauis ocean through whale watching tours, snorkeling and supporting education and research. Whale watching season in maui is novembermay with peak season typically running between midjanuary and march. Our fast and safe rafting vessels are low to the water and perfect for close whale watching encounters. Whale watching experiences on maui maui s best whale watching tours. Whale watching maui, hawaii kaanapali ocean adventures. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value.
But on occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or even late september. If you want to go whale watching maui is one of the best spots as the humpback whales can often be seen swimming up the auau channel between maui and moloaki. Great wind and waves make the north shore of maui a great destination for firstrate water sports, including windsurfing, kite. But you dont have to go on a whale watching tour to spot whales. Mauis biggest and favorite seasonal guests are coming back. There are so many things to see and activities to choose from here in this paradise that is maui, hawaii. The pacific whale foundation has reported seeing three different whale species on a exploring cruise just last. I went kayaking out of olowalu, maui on a kayak and jumped off as a whale swam toward me. Maui is the prime spot in hawaii for viewing hundreds of humpback whales from november through may as thousands congregate in the warm waters off the coast to eat, mate, and raise their young. There are a variety of whale watching tours to choose from, all of which offering a great time on the water and an opportuinity to get close to the whales. During my many years as a tour director, i have had the. If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the bow, and then motoring close for a. There is a mandatory 14day selfquarantine for all visitors and residents of the state of hawaii. Tours last roughly 24 hours long and some even offer early bird specials.
Hawaiian ocean project lahaina whale watching cruise from. We offer a whale season pass 10 trips for those of you who love to whale watch. The best place to take a whale watching tour is from historic lahaina harbor across the channel on maui. This whalewatch is led by certified marine naturalists for fun and informative. We offer a variety of maui snorkeling and whale watching tours leaving daily from lahaina harbor. Go with the experts on mauis toprated ecotours at pacific whale foundation book your cruise today. Founded by world leader in whale protection, greg kaufman, the pacific whale foundation on maui not only leads the way in ecofriendly whale watching tours but is also a leading research and education facility known internationally. Our small group rafting vessels host small groups of guests so you get up close and. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Whale watching,maui hawaii snorkeling, sailing,private. During these winter months thousands of pacific humpback whales migrate from their summer feedings grounds in the waters off alaska to the warm hawaiian waters to mate and nurse their. Maui in hawaii is an outdoor paradise with dozens of great activities available. The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes you out to see them from december 8 th april 15 th.
In addition, youre going to have some great views of the neighbor islands. By the peak of the season from januarymarch, thousands of humpbacks have gathered in hawaii from hilo to hanalei, with the largest concentration of. Escorting tours for more than 20 years being a tour director has afforded me the opportunity to travel more than i would have ever dreamed. Pacific whale foundation is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. In the 1970s, kaufman participated in a national campaign. Once a week, the ultimate whale watch is personally guided by whale researchers and marine biologists. As temperatures start dropping nearly everywhere else in the u. The shallow and protected interisland waterways surrounding maui entice these massive creatures for months of playing, mating, birthing and raising their young.
We offer a variety of maui snorkeling and whale watching tours. From charter boats to passenger rafts, a stroll past the whale watching kiosks lining lahaina harbor. Whale watching tours on maui with stardust hawaii easy. Maui whale watching is perhaps the best youll find anywhere. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching tours. In the prewhaling days, the pods were estimated in numbers upwards of 45,000 individuals. Choose from catamarans, zodiacs, jetboats and even kayak and outrigger canoe tours that depart from centralized locations including. But as a result of commercial whaling, those numbers were down to just 1,400 humpbacks in 1966. Join us on this incredible adventure which offers you the amazing opportunity to see humpback whales during. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. If youre fortunate enough to be on maui during the winter, you simply cannot miss the majestic humpback whales that visit hawaii every year. During whale season november march, you can catch a glimpse of whales breathing, splashing. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide.
Whale watching on pride of maui maui hawaii hawaii travel guide. In fact maui is the indisputable epicenter for whale watching. Our fast and safe rafting vessels are low to the water and perfect for close whale watching encounters and small groups making every seat a front row seat. Lahaina cruise company whale watch excursion hawaii. To get a closer look at these majestic creatures, youll want to take a whale watching tour with one of mauis boat companies. In fact maui is the indisputable epicenter for whale watching tours in hawaii.
We are staying in kihei for 5 nights then at the honua kai for the next five. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Hawaii ocean rafting offers sightseeing tours exclusive maui rafting tours for you, your family and friends. The humpback whales that migrate to the hawaiian waters each year seen on all maui whale watching tours spend their summers in alaska. Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Feb 05, 2014 i went kayaking out of olowalu, maui on a kayak and jumped off as a whale swam toward me.
The whale trust is a good organization that i highly respect but not the only one located in hawaii or maui that does real research. During the winter months, the maui coast plays host to the majestic humpback whales who visit the area to mate and give birth. The waters off of maui offer one of the best places in all of hawaii to see this displaywhale sightings are guaranteed on this tour. Whale watching cruises are some of the most popular things to do in hawaiis whale season, which runs from december through april. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching. Whale watching tour to maui, hawaii traveler corner. Pride of maui is the most stable and spacious boat on maui with incomparable amenities including two restrooms, glass bottom, water slide, submerged boarding ladders, warm showers, a large hardwood bar and over 2500 feet of open deck. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters.
In the months of december through march, the humpback whales come to maui to calve, and you almost cant turn around without spotting. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early november with our welcome home the whales cruise. Sep 07, 2018 mauis biggest and favorite seasonal guests are coming back. Maui eco tours, has been mauis premier kayak, snorkel and water sport lessons, rental and tour provider since 1991. Every year, approximately twothirds of north pacific humpback whales, estimates range from 4,000 to 10,000 whales, migrate to hawaiis warm waters to mate, and to bear. Mauis best whale watching tours during the winter months, the maui coast plays host to the majestic humpback whales who visit the area to mate and give birth.
Maui whale watch tours marine naturalist cruises pacwhale. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. We are sure, you heard about whale watching tours on maui happening during winter months decembermay. Specializing in maui kayak tours and snorkeling, maui surf lessons, maui standup. Youll get 10plus hours of live commentary and a handy app that can be used offline to guide you through maui s famous drive. Most of their boats are twolevel, doublehull, very modern.